Why Not?
My dad, who had always been so proud, admirable, and self-sufficient, lay curled on his side in a light blue pajama top and bottoms, his hospital bed slightly elevated.
His white hair stuck up in a mohawk, his skin pasty white.
His eyes were closed and his breathing heavy. He had eaten two bites of his cheese sandwich at lunch and his tray was barely touched.
How was it possible that my brilliant, always intellectually curious dad, resembled a sick little boy and I was now his mama wanting to do anything to make him comfortable and well.
“Dad, Dad, wake up,” I said gently shaking his arm.
“Oh, Gail, you’re here. Where am I?”
“Dad, we’re in the nursing unit. There’s some yummy chocolate ice cream in the kitchen area. Can I get you some?”
Why not?
“Why not?!” he replied, throwing his hands up in the air. Dad had always been opposed to speaking Yiddish because we were ‘Americans’, but this one time his voice took on the inflection of my grandmother. He seemed to be saying there’s nothing to lose here in saying, yes.
Your Takeaway
Why not! has since become a dear metaphor for me. When people invite me to experience something new I throw up my hands, channeling my inner dad and say, why not! with his same inflection. I’m saying yes to new experiences, new opportunities.
So I say to you, why not open yourself to embracing the affirming way of life.
Why not look for what you appreciate, admire, or adore in the people in your life and tell them!
The way we view the people in our life is a choice. You can focus on the annoying and disappointing things about others or you can look with eyes that see the goodness and pleasure they bring into your life.
Seeing the good is your clay for speaking the good, and experiencing more of the good in your relationships and yourself.
